If you are a smoker or former smoker, you may wonder if you could be at risk for developing lung cancer, or worse, dying from it. Now, you no longer have to wonder. In response to recently published National Lung Screening Trial results, which demonstrate a clear advantage to high-risk individuals, CaroMont Health is offering a reduced-cost CT Lung Screen to heighten early detection and treatment of lung disease.

For $50 and 30 minutes of time, eligible candidates can ease their concerns about lung cancer. The study of heavy smokers compared lung CT scans and chest X-rays to discover that getting a lung CT scan lowered the risk of dying of lung cancer.

“Fifty dollars is a very low price to pay for detecting lung cancer at an earlier stage,” Dr. Alec Akbarov said. “In addition to earlier diagnosis and effective medical treatment, we can improve lung cancer survival by

20 percent.”

Most insurance companies and Medicare do not cover the cost for a CT scan. The overwhelming success rate in detecting lung cancer in its early stage is unmistakably greater when a CT scan is used. CaroMont Health wants to make the screen available to help save as many lives as possible. CaroMont Health is providing the screen for $50 out of pocket for eligible patients who meet the criteria.

CT lung screening is a noninvasive, painless procedure that uses low-dose X-rays to screen the lungs for cancer in just 30 seconds. A CT lung screening allows the radiologist to look at different levels, or slices, of the lungs using a rotating X-ray beam. It is performed on a multi-slice spiral computed tomography scanner and can detect smaller nodules or cancer than standard chest X-rays. When lung cancer is detected in its early stage, the treatment intervention can occur at a time when the cancer is still curable. If there is a “negative” result, this means there were no abnormal findings at the time of the scan. Higher risk persons could still develop lung cancer if they continue their lifestyle.

Not everyone is a candidate for a lung CT. However, if you are a current smoker, fall within 55 to 74 years of age, and have a smoking history of at least 30 pack-years (one pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years or two packs per day for 15 years), then you are in the group at highest risk for lung cancer and a lung CT is recommended.

“Until recently, lung cancer has lacked an effective screening tool for detecting early stages of the disease,” Akbarov said. “We are now extremely excited that there is an affordable option offered at CaroMont Regional Medical Center. A low dose CT scan can detect lung cancer at earlier stages, allowing for it to be treated more successfully.”

Lung cancer accounts for more than 150,000 deaths each year in the country. That’s more than breast, colon and prostate cancer combined.

Page 2 of 2 - The reason for this large number is because lung cancer is usually detected at a late stage, and intervention is less successful. More than 200 cases of lung cancer are diagnosed every year at CaroMont Regional Medical Center; 72 percent are found at a late stage – stage 3 or 4.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are 14,559 residents in Gaston County who smoke at least 15 cigarettes per day. Most American cigarette packs contain 15 to 20 cigarettes. The 2012 Gaston County Community Health Assessment report revealed that the rate of smoking in the country is higher than the rate in North Carolina -- 25.2 percent vs. 21.8 percent.

It’s important to talk to your doctor about future testing options. The best way to prevent lung cancer is to never smoke or to stop smoking.

For more information on scheduling a CT lung screen or to see if you are a candidate, contact Kim Hughes, RN, Oncology Nurse Navigator at CaroMont Health, 704-671-LUNG (5864). Participants must be referred by their doctor.